Clayton enacts 365‑day moratorium on data‑processing center approvals

The Clayton City Council on Monday adopted Resolution RO72646, imposing an immediate 365‑day moratorium on the acceptance and processing of zoning, conditional‑use and building permits for data‑processing centers in the city.

Council clerk read the resolution and Councilmember Henning moved for approval, seconded by Councilmember Gorman. The measure passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition; Mr. York was excused from the meeting.

Resident Deborah (Deb) Rettman, of 201 Hilltop Drive, told the council she appreciated the city’s proactive stance but said the word “temporary” worried neighbors. “How do we know will it be 365 days, and how are you gonna make it transparent to the community?” she asked.

City manager Elaine responded that the moratorium is intended to give staff time to evaluate evolving state developments and local options. “It could be 365 days. It could be less. We would have to come back if we wanted to extend that,” she said, adding that the city will advertise meetings and notify the public if major changes are proposed.

The moratorium pauses the city’s review of new data‑center permit applications while staff researches legal and planning implications and considers any necessary zoning or code revisions. Council did not indicate a specific set of criteria that would automatically trigger an extension; any extension would require subsequent council action.

The resolution was one of several routine items approved by the council during the meeting. The council did not take separate roll‑call votes for individual members on the moratorium; the clerk recorded a unanimous voice vote among members present.